AARP Utah Gears Up for 2020 Legislative Session Beginning January 27

Utah’s legislative session starts this coming Monday, January 27, and we want to know: what are your top priorities?

Take a minute to tell us here what you will be watching during the 45 days of the session; thousands of bills will be considered before the last day on March 12, but AARP Utah will be focusing our efforts this year on the following:

• Lower the cost of prescription drugs – Americans pay the highest prices in the world for prescription drugs. The average Medicare enrollee takes between 4 and 5 prescription drugs every month. The skyrocketing costs of prescription drugs are making it harder and harder for older Utahns to make ends meet. Utah should look at innovative solutions like more price transparency and importing prescription drugs from Canada to help bring down these prices, following the lead of other states who have explored these options.

• Expand workplace leave options – Utah workers need greater flexibility to balance the demands of employment, raising families, and caring for loved ones. We will be working to ensure Utahns have greater flexibility to use their sick leave benefits how they see necessary. We will also be working to expand federal workplace protections so that more Utahns will have access to unpaid family medical leave, ensuring their employment is protected when they return.

• Affordable housing – As Utah’s economy continues to grow, one side effect has been rapidly increasing housing costs. While many of us like to see the value of our homes increase, we have to be mindful of the impact this has on Utahns who struggle to pay for their growing property tax bills and rising rents.

In addition, we will be fighting expand access to telehealth across Utah and strengthening the state programs that investigate cases of abuse and exploitation of vulnerable adults. We also plan to be engaged on other issues impacting older Utahns as they arise, and so we want to know what is important to you. Tell us here what you will be watching.

We are committed to keeping you informed on important issues that impact AARP members and people 50+ throughout the state. We hope you will stay engaged with us through the next 45 days as we work to ensure that your voice is heard in Utah’s capitol.

Thank you for your support!